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<p>I refer the Hon. Member to the response the Minister of State for Vulnerable Children
and Families, my Hon. Friend the Member for Crewe and Nantwich (Edward Timpson), gave
to PQ50471 and add the following.</p><p>The Foreign and Commonwealth Office promotes
respect for human rights, including the rights of children, throughout the world.
British Embassies and High Commissions monitor and raise human rights issues, including
children's rights, in their host countries. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also
works through the United Nations and other multilateral fora to encourage respect
for children's rights as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.</p><p>Protecting
children from violence and abuse is a particular focus of our work with the United
Kingdom's Overseas Territories (OTs). In February 2015 the Government established
the Child Safeguarding Unit to work in partnership with the governments of the OTs
to support their efforts to strengthen child safeguarding systems, where the protection
of children's rights remains primarily the responsibility of territory governments.
At the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council last year OT leaders committed
to lead national responses and to ensure child-centred and coordinated approaches
to safeguarding. The Council will meet this year in London from 1-2 November and will
be hosted by the Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my noble
Friend, the Rt Hon. the Baroness Anelay of St Johns DBE, who will co-chair a discussion
on good governance and human rights (including children's rights) with the Solicitor
General.</p>
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